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← Return to Spondylolisthesis L5/S1
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I am 78 years old and had a similar diagnosis spondelothesis at age 35 or 36. My doc recommended exercise and weight loss, stretches, etc just as you described.
I had injured my back as a youngster playing football, had chiropractic treatments which got me back on my feet.
Finally at age 63 I had the surgery-a fusion of L5 and S1….ALIF and PLIF), as you described. I had let it go to the point where the vertibrae moved forward causing excruciating pain, mostly in my left leg.
I was told The surgery was a “success” with the exception of an infection, requiring the neurosurgeon to go back in and clean out the fluid a week later.
I recovered and was able to play golf and carry on with normal activity for about 7 years…after which the sharp pain in both legs and numbness in my foot set in. We tried epidural injections which had no effect. Doc told me pain and numbness in my foot were being caused by “scar tissue” on the nerve and the surgeon wanted to open up the site and clean the scar tissue off from the nerve-risk of paralysis was mentioned, which was enough to make my decision to get a neurostimulator. Now I am still walking, but for limited distances only, and with use of a cane.
I’m contemplating having Mayo do a spinal study to determine if all my current difficulty is caused by adhesive arachnoiditis!?!
Stimulator is no longer of any benefit, but removal requires another major surgery, which I don’t care to go thru at this age.
My advice be cautious and ask lots of questions before having a fusion. Ask about “stair stepping” - ultimately resulting in fusing all of your lumbar!!!
Good luck! Take care!
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Hi,
Very interesting story and thanks for sharing.
My numbness and tightness has improved. Still there but not as often. I also got a second neurosurgeon opinion that can highly recommend from family and reviews.
The surgeon did not recommend surgery now. He said I have no power or movement loss in my right leg or foot. Also stated I wasn’t doing any nerve damage. He thinks I’ll need surgery but it could 10-15 yrs down the rack or within the next month or so.
He couldn’t predict how quickly my vertebra or disk would deteriorate and impinge on my nerve. He was pretty confident I was born with the abnormality but just got worst with time.
He thinks I’m still young and health and should continue to manage it passively. He said I could run but that would be my risk and would speed up the deteriorating process.
My love / passion of ultra running since 2016 sped up the process. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will not run long distances anymore let alone run. It will be Pilates, swimming, easy bike riding and core/strength. I’m still finding ways how to manage mentally.
I read Dr Sarno and Nicole Sach. Both are left field and focused more on mental health and linkages with pain. It makes sense but you have to be open to it like Tony Robins.
I’m determined to give everything a go to manage my abnormality to delay surgery as long as possible and safely.
Thanks for your insights. Quite a positive forum here!